Stand for gaming device or other object

ABSTRACT

A stand for supporting a gaming device or other object includes a top, at least one sidewall and a removable access panel. The sidewall extends downward relative to the top and defines an opening (e.g., to facilitate access to the interior of the stand and/or service access to the object). The access panel is positionable within the opening to securely cover the opening during periods of normal use of the object and to permit quick and easy access to the interior of the stand during periods of servicing. The access panel is preferably configured to be as wide as an entire side of the stand to maximize access to the interior of the stand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a stand for a gaming device or other object to which access may be necessary from under the object, and more particularly to a stand having one or more easily-removable components to permit access to the interior of the stand.

2. Description of Related Art

Many gaming devices, such as mechanical and video slot machines and other gaming machines, are designed to be mounted upon a stand. Typically, the stand rests upon the floor and brings the gaming device to a height suitable for comfortable play.

Often times, the gaming device is bolted to the stand for stability. Depending on the configuration and location of the stand, the stand may be attached to an abutting stand and/or wall for additional stability. The stand may be further attached to the floor or, in the case of a cruise ship, to the deck. Most gaming devices require electricity to operate and the wiring that supplies such electricity is usually routed through apertures in the stand to the gaming device. Some gaming devices are connected with cables to remote devices (e.g., computers). In such cases, the connecting cables may be routed through apertures in the stand adjacent to the gaming device.

In order to secure the stand for additional stability, to secure the gaming device to the stand, to route the gaming device's wiring and/or cabling, and/or to service the gaming device and/or its wiring/cabling, access to the interior of the stand is often necessary.

Some gaming device stands currently include a front door for access purposes. Typically, the door is permanently attached to the body of the stand with hinges. Thus, often times, while well-intended, the door interferes with a technician's access within the stand. Moreover, more recently, casinos have been required to decrease the height of the gaming device stands so that casino patrons can see fire exits around the room. Such height decreases have resulted in decreased sizes of the access door openings. The typical stand in use today has such a small opening that it is difficult to perform necessary tasks inside the stand. Depending upon the task, the technician may have to kneel or lie down, work blindly (i.e., by feel alone), or operate hand or power tools from awkward positions, thereby creating a certain degree of risk of physical injury and substandard workmanship.

During extended time periods of play of a gaming device, a player often sits on a stool or otherwise desires to rest his/her legs and feet. Many gaming device stands incorporate a footrest on which a player can rest his/her legs and feet. However, the footrests utilized in the prior art are usually fixed and stationary. They therefore reduce the space available to access the inside of the stand.

Therefore, a need exists for a stand that is configured and arranged to provide improved access to its interior. Such a stand would facilitate performing work within the stand and reduce the risk of physical injury and substandard workmanship. Such a stand that takes into account the comfort needs of gaming device players would be a further improvement over the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses a stand that includes one or more components that can be removed quickly and easily without tools to create an opening that maximizes access to the interior of the stand. The improved access over stands of conventional construction enables faster and higher quality workmanship to be performed within the stand and decreases the risk of physical injury while performing such work.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the stand illustrated in FIG. 1 with arrows to show direction of movement to remove the stand's drawer and panel.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the stand illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the stand illustrated in FIG. 3 taken along line 3A-3A therein.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the outlined area referenced 3B in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the stand illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the stand illustrated in FIG. 1 with drawer and access panel removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stand in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention with an arrow to show the direction of movement required to remove the panel.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the stand illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the stand illustrated in FIG. 7 taken along line 7A-7A therein.

FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the outlined area referenced 7B in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the stand illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of one embodiment of a bottom support used with this invention.

FIG. 9A is an enlarged view detailing the interaction between the access panel and the bottom support embodied in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TWO PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Generally, the present invention encompasses a stand for supporting a gaming device or other object, which includes a top, at least one sidewall, and a removable access panel that may be inclined to accommodate an integral footrest. The sidewall extends downward relative to the top and defines at least a portion of an opening (e.g., to facilitate service access to the object). The access panel is positionable within the opening to cover the opening during periods of normal use of the object and to permit quick and easy access inside the stand during periods of servicing. The sidewall opening is preferably oriented to the front of the object to provide maximum access to the interior of the stand when the access panel is removed. The access panel is preferably configured to be as wide as an entire side of the stand to further maximize interior access to the stand.

Access to the interior of the stand may be required for several reasons including, but not limited to, performing such tasks as securing the stand to a floor, securing the stand to a neighboring stand, securing the stand to a wall, securing the gaming device or other object to the stand, repairing the gaming device, installing an electrical receptacle inside the stand, and routing wires or cables through the stand to the gaming device.

This description contains specific details describing preferred embodiments of the invention so it may be practiced by one skilled in the art. Well-known details that are apparent to one skilled in the art have not been included. The present invention may be more readily understood with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9A, in which like reference numerals designate like items.

As used throughout the specification and claims, all variations of the term “remove” mean to take off or to take away including the term “removable,” which means capable of being taken off or taken away.

One preferred embodiment of a stand 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. Referring to FIG. 1, the stand 100 is supporting a gaming device 10. The stand 100 may have a variety of embodiments to support one or more gaming devices 10 or other objects. The gaming device 10 may be one of a variety of types, including, but not limited to, reel slot devices and video devices. Alternatively, the object mounted on the stand 100 may be other than a gaming device 10. Gaming devices 10 have been referenced because they are commonly mounted on stands 100 similar to the present invention. Other objects or devices that may be utilized with the stand 100 of the present invention include change machines, lottery machines or any other object to which access, and/or power and data supply, may be needed.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the stand 100 includes a top 101 that supports the gaming device 10 or other object. The top 101 may include one or more apertures 102 (six shown) that pass through the top 101 to allow access to the gaming device 10. For example, electrical cables, data cables, bolts or other connection mechanisms, and other equipment (not shown) could be passed through the apertures 102 and connected to the gaming device 10. Gaming device 10 may direct coins into stand 100 through aperture 102. Other of apertures 102 may be used to secure the gaming device 10 to the stand 100. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the number of apertures 102 included will be dictated by a variety of conditions, including the requirements of the device 10 located on the stand 100 and the expected needs of those who may have to service the device or secure the device to the stand 100.

The top 101 of the stand 100 is supported by three sidewalls: a left sidewall 105, a right sidewall 106, and a rear sidewall 107. The rear sidewall 107 is positioned between the right sidewall 106 and the left sidewall 105. The stand 100 may include a bottom panel (not shown) parallel to the top 101 and acting as a base or underside to the stand 100. In an alternate embodiment, the stand 100 may include a bottom support 108 (visible in FIGS. 4 and 5). Bottom panel and/or bottom support 108 are used to stabilize and secure right sidewall 106 and left sidewall 105 but are not required in all embodiments. The three sidewalls, with or without any bottom panel or bottom support 108, define an opening 109 (shown in FIG. 4) that is preferably occupied during normal use by a removable drawer 110 and a removable access panel 120. The opening 109 need not be forward-facing, but rather could be situated in any direction that would provide access to the gaming device or object 10. For example, access might be required on the left- or right-hand side of the device 10. In such an embodiment, the opening 109 would be on the left- or right-hand side, respectively.

While the stand 100 is depicted in FIG. 1 as being generally rectangular-shaped, the stand 100 may be configured into any shape that may be desired. It is common practice to install gaming devices 10 side to side to form rows and to form double-rows by placing the back of one row against the back of another row. Often, the rows are in a straight line. The stands 100 in such straight line configurations usually have generally rectangular shapes, as depicted in the accompanying Figures. However, it is also common to configure stands 100 to follow curves and polygonal shapes, for example when a row of stands 100 is fitted to follow a curved wall. Such stands 100 may have one or more sidewalls that is/are aligned to the radius of the curved wall and the back and/or front edges of the tops may be cut parallel to the curved wall. Such stands 100 are not rectangular in shape, but function the same as a generally rectangular stand 100. The present invention may be embodied in stands 100 of generally rectangular, curving, polygonal, irregular and other shapes.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, left sidewall 105 and right sidewall 106 both contain a substantially V-shaped cutout 130, wherein the widest portion 131 of the V-shaped cutout 130 is forward facing. This configuration allows a person to rest their feet on the access panel 120 whether the person is located in front or slightly to the side of the device 10. This configuration also allows the user room to extend part of his/her legs under the device 10 to rest more comfortably than simply placing his/her feet on the floor or on any footrest built into a stool. In addition, if a large line of stands 100 are placed side by side, the V-shaped cutouts 130 provide for one large footrest. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the cutout may be configured in different shapes. In addition, there may be occasions where a cutout is not desired and the resulting stand has solid sidewalls (i.e. without any cutout in the side walls) on both sides, or on one side. All of these embodiments are covered by the present invention and its appended claims.

FIGS. 1 through 4 include removable drawer 110. The directional arrow 110′ in FIG. 2 shows the direction removable drawer 110 is moved to open it and/or remove it from the stand 100. FIG. 4 shows removable drawer 110 removed from the stand 100. Although not illustrated, removable drawer 110 may have a handle or relief or contour to facilitate pulling the removable drawer 110 open. Removable drawer 110 may be equipped with a lock 111 or other attachment mechanism to secure removable drawer 110 to the stand 100. There are many methods and styles of creating removable drawers 110 that slide in and out. The present invention is such that, should a removable drawer 110 be part of the stand 100 as shown in FIG. 2, it will be easily removed from the stand 100 to gain improved access to the interior of the stand 100. It is preferred that removable drawer 110 is equipped with drawer slides 112 that disengage the removable drawer 110 from stand 100 in a simple manner and without tools. There are a number of commercially available drawer slides 112 suitable for this application.

FIGS. 1 through 4 include access panel 120. The embodiment of access panel 120 provided in FIGS. 1 through 4 includes panel member 121, back member 124 and lower edge member 125. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, however, that any combination of the components of access panel 120 could be utilized and still meet the limitations of the present invention. For example, access panel 120 may be comprised of only panel member 121 or only back member 124, depending on the purpose of the stand 100. If floor space is at a premium, the owner of the stand 100 may wish to only include back member 124 extending vertically downward from the drawer 110.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4, the panel member 121 is angled or inclined so that the proximal edge 122 is lower, or closer to the floor, and the distal edge 123 is higher, or further from the floor. FIG. 2 reveals that the angle or incline of the panel member 121 may be parallel to the lower edge 132 of the substantially V-shaped cutout 130 of left sidewall 105 and right sidewall 106, although it is not required to be. The panel member 121 separates the back member 124 of the access panel 120 from the lower edge member 125 of the access panel 120. The back member 124 extends vertically upward from the distal edge 123 of the panel member 121. The lower edge member 125 extends vertically downward from the proximal edge 122 of panel member 121. Please note the present embodiment is exemplary. Neither back member 124 nor lower edge member 125 are required to be vertical. For example, lower edge member may be a curved piece that extends from the proximal edge 122 of panel member 121 to the floor. Back member 124 may slant forward and upward from the distal edge 123 of panel member 121. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these embodiments are not the only ones available for access panel 120.

Access panel 120 is removable and is not permanently attached to stand 100. Directional arrow 120′ in FIG. 2 shows the direction access panel 120 is preferably moved to remove it from the stand 100. In one embodiment, access panel 120 is preferably constructed so that it must be lifted vertically some distance before it can be moved forward to remove it from the stand 100. This can be accomplished by including tabs 108A on bottom support 108 which mate with corresponding slots or locking apertures 120A in access panel 120 (see FIGS. 3B, 9 and 9A) so as to retain panel 120 in position relative to support 108. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that this is not the only embodiment that could accomplish the attachment of access panel 120 to stand 100. For example, tabs could alternately be placed on the edges of side walls 105 and 106 and matching locking apertures could be added along the side of access panel 120.

Access panel 120 is further preferably constructed in a manner that, when removable drawer 110 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, access panel 120 cannot be lifted vertically or moved outward horizontally. Access panel 120 is captured when removable drawer 110 is closed by the back of the bottom of drawer 110. When removable drawer 110 is sufficiently opened, which is when the back 113 of drawer 110 passes the top 127 of access panel 120 (FIG. 3A), the access panel 120 is no longer captured and can be lifted up and out of stand 100. Removable drawer 110 must be slid forward (to the right in FIG. 3A) so that access panel 120 may be lifted vertically. It is obvious that the vertical movement of access panel 120 would occur most easily when removable drawer 110 is completely removed. However, complete removal of removable drawer 110 is not required. Removable drawer 110 may be slid forward along direction line 110′ a sufficient amount to allow access panel 120 to be lifted vertically.

FIGS. 3B and 9A show the preferred embodiment for securing access panel 120 to the stand 100.

FIG. 4 shows removable drawer 110 and access panel 120 removed. This illustrates one of several methods available to configure stand 100 with a removable drawer 110 and an access panel 120 that allows removing removable drawer 110 and access panel 120 in an easy and quick manner and without tools. Their removal grants access to the interior of the stand 100. The present invention is that any removable drawer 110 and any access panel 120 can be easily and quickly removed from stand 100 and preferably without tools.

FIG. 5 illustrates the embodiment of stand 100 with drawer 110 and panel 120 removed. There is an interior space that is defined by the left sidewall 105, right sidewall 106, back sidewall 107 and top 101. Panel stops 115 and drawer slides 112 are visible on the left sidewall 105 and right sidewall 106. The drawer 110 is mounted on the drawer slides 112. Panel stop 115 provides support for access panel 120.

In this embodiment, except for panel stops 115 and drawer slides 112, the interior space is generally void of subdivisions and supports. However that is not to exclude embodiments with additional or alternate interior subdivisions and supports. Such subdivisions may be added to create compartments for such reasons as storing things, paper tickets and coin for example, for housing electrical apparatus, and for holding a coin bucket or tray. Supports may also be added to strengthen the stand 100.

A second embodiment of a stand 200 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 through 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the access panel 220 is located along the opening 209 (shown in FIG. 8) of the stand 200. Access panel 220 may have a handle or relief or contour (not shown) to facilitate removal. Access panel 220 may be equipped with a lock 211 or other attachment mechanism. FIG. 8 shows access panel 220 removed from, but aligned with, stand 200. The interior of stand 200 may be similar to that of stand 100 in FIG. 5.

Access panel 220 is removable and is not permanently attached to stand 200. Directional arrow 220′ shows the direction access panel 220 is moved to remove it from the stand 200, being rotated forward about its lower edge member 222 and then lifted out. This can be accomplished by including tabs 208A on bottom support 208 and locking apertures 220A in access panel 220 (see FIGS. 7B, 9 and 9A). One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that this is not the only embodiment that could accomplish the attachment of access panel 120 to stand 100. For example, tabs could alternately be placed on the edges of side walls 105 and 106 and matching locking apertures could be added along the side of access panel 120.

The embodiments of access panel 220 provided in FIGS. 6 through 8 includes panel member 221, lower edge member 222, back member 224, upper member 225 and upper edge member 226. Once again, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, that any combination of the components of access panel 220 could be utilized and still meet the limitations of the present invention. The panel member 221 is angled or inclined so that the proximal edge 227 is lower, or closer to the floor, and the distal edge 228 is higher, or further from the floor. The panel member 221 separates the back member 224 of the access panel 220 from the lower edge member 222 of the access panel 220. Back member 224 extends vertically upward from the distal edge 228 of panel member 221. Lower edge member 222 extends vertically downward from the proximal edge 227 of panel member 221. Please note the present embodiment is exemplary. Neither back member 224 nor lower edge member 222 are required to be vertical. For example, lower edge member may be a curved piece that extends from the proximal edge 227 of panel member 221 to the floor. Back member 224 may slant forward and upward from the distal edge 228 of panel member 221. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these embodiments are not the only ones available for access panel 220.

The top edge 229 of back member 224 is connected to upper member 225. Upper member 225 extends at an upward angle from the top edge 229 of back member 224, in an inverse manner as panel member 221. In other words back edge 230 of upper member 225 is lower, or closer to the floor, and the front edge 231 of upper member 225 is higher, or further from the floor. Front edge 231 of upper member 225 is connected to upper edge member 226, which extends vertically upward. The resulting shape of access panel 220 matches the substantially V-shaped cutout 240 of left sidewall 205 and right sidewall 206. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that this embodiment is not the only embodiment available for access panel 220. For example, one may wish to remove back member 224 and simply connect panel member 221 to upper member 225.

While two specific configurations of the stand 100 and 200 have been shown and discussed, the claim of this invention is that one or more components comprising the stand 100 and 200 can be easily removed, preferably without the use of tools, in order to permit a high degree of access to the interior of the stand 100 and 200. There are many configurations of a stand 100 and 200 that would accomplish the same object.

Throughout the descriptions of the present invention, it has been described that a component or components are quickly and easily removable. The object of the invention is to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks to be performed within the interior of the stand 100 and 200. The better the accessibility, the better the freedom of movement, and the easier it is to work within the stand 100 and 200. Improved accessibility also means work can be done faster and better. A task to be accomplished within a stand 100 and 200 may only require 5 to 10 minutes time. Therefore it is important that said components can be removed easily and in a timely manner. The advantage of improved accessibility would be offset to some degree if it required several minutes to remove the stand components. The average person skilled in the art can remove the stand components as presented in either of the two embodiments of the present invention within 15 seconds. 

1. A stand for supporting an object, the stand comprising: a top; at least one sidewall coupled to the top and extending downward relative to the top, the at least one sidewall defining an opening; and a removable access panel positionable within the opening, the access panel including an inclined panel member.
 2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the top defines at least one aperture.
 3. The stand of claim 1, further comprising: a removable drawer positioned between the top and the inclined panel member of the access panel.
 4. The stand of claim 3, wherein the drawer is configured to substantially inhibit removal of the access panel until the drawer is removed.
 5. The stand of claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises a right sidewall, a left sidewall, and a rear sidewall positioned between the right sidewall and the left sidewall.
 6. The stand of claim 5, wherein each of the left sidewall and the right sidewall define a substantially V-shaped cutout and wherein a widest portion of an opening in each V-shaped cutout is forward-facing.
 7. The stand of claim 5, wherein a width of the access panel is substantially equal to a width of the rear sidewall.
 8. The stand of claim 1, wherein the access panel includes a back member connected to a distal edge of the inclined panel member, the back member extending vertically from the inclined panel member toward the top.
 9. The stand of claim 8, wherein the access panel includes an upper member connected to a top edge of the back member, the upper member extending at an oblique angle toward the top.
 10. The stand of claim 9, wherein the access panel includes a top member connected to a top edge of the upper member and extending vertically toward the top.
 11. The stand of claim 1, wherein the access panel further includes a lower member connected to a proximal edge of the inclined panel member, the lower member extending vertically from the inclined panel member away from the top.
 12. A stand for supporting a casino gaming device, the stand comprising: a substantially flat top; an interconnected set of sidewalls coupled to the top and extending downward relative to the top, the set of sidewalls defining an opening; a removable access panel positionable within the opening, the access panel including an inclined panel member.
 13. The stand of claim 12, wherein the access panel includes a back member connected to a distal edge of the inclined panel member, the back member extending vertically from the inclined panel member toward the top.
 14. The stand of claim 13, wherein the access panel includes an upper member connected to a top edge of the back member, the upper member extending at an angle oblique angle toward the top.
 15. The stand of claim 14, wherein the access panel includes a top member connected to a front edge of the upper member and extending vertically toward the top.
 16. A stand for supporting a casino gaming device, the stand comprising: a substantially flat top; an interconnected set of sidewalls coupled to the top and extending downward relative to the top, the set of sidewalls defining an opening; a removable access panel positionable within the opening, the access panel including a panel member; and a removable drawer positioned below the top, the drawer being configured to substantially inhibit removal of the access panel until the drawer is removed.
 17. The stand of claim 16, wherein each of the left sidewall and the right sidewall define a substantially V-shaped cutout and wherein a widest portion of an opening in each V-shaped cutout is forward-facing.
 18. The stand of claim 17, wherein a width of the access panel and the drawer are substantially equal to a width of the rear sidewall.
 19. The stand of claim 16, wherein the panel member is inclined.
 20. The stand of claim 19, wherein the access panel further includes a back member connected to a distal edge of the inclined panel member, the back member extending vertically from the inclined panel member toward the top.
 21. The stand of claim 20, wherein the access panel further includes a lower member connected to a proximal edge of the inclined panel member, the lower member extending vertically from the inclined panel member away from the top. 